TM (Junior)

ABSTRACT

A game utilizing a game board includes a net positioned at one end of the game board, a stripe positioned on the game board, and a display of a mathematical operation on the game board.

PRIORITY

The present invention claims priority based on application No. 60/667,005.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to games, and more particularly, the present invention relates to games having a net, a game board and mathematical exercises.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

U.S. Pat. No. 5,570,888 to Robinson discloses a trump football game and apparatus in which a simulated football is thumped by the finger of the player to place the football in play and move the football to various locations on a board provided with the game. The football apparatus includes a game board that has a planar playing surface, yard lines and goal lines marked thereon, movable goalposts and a trough adjacent to the goal lines to catch the simulated football. The game board may be supported by legs or placed on the top of the table.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,046,743 to Salerno discloses a strategy type soccer board game that has moving playing pieces and a separate soccer ball. All these pieces may be moved independently of each other or in concert as determined by the role of the dice. The game is played by two players each of which whom is given nine playing pieces. Each of the playing pieces has a post at its base in which a ball having a matching slot may be placed when a particular playing piece is carrying or passing the ball.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,166,605 to Davey discloses a magnetic toss game simulative of a sports game. The game includes a number of flat magnetic disks simulating hockey pucks, soccer balls, footballs, basketballs, golf balls and the like. Each type of magnetic disk has a corresponding magnetic target simulating a hockey net, soccer goal net, football goalposts, basketball net, golf green with hole and the like. The magnetic target mounted on a flat metallic surface forms a game board capable of magnetic interaction with the magnetic disks.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,810,362 to Jensen discloses a board game having a generally rectangular game board including a bottom surface defining parallel valleys having a part cylindrical shape and formed about parallel axes extending traverse of the board. Ballplayer assemblies are mounted to rotate about respective ones of the parallel axes and slidably axially so that the game player can move the ballplayer into position to pick up a ball lying in an associated one of the valleys below the ballplayer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention requires children of all ages to apply their intellect in rudimentary mathematical skill. It helps develop the child's sense of intelligent calculation. The present invention uses a small square size board with a net system and includes a number of dice in the shape of stars in different color codes and digits. The present invention requires a lot of physical movement. It is a game of skill for all levels of kids involving continuous calculation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which, like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a game board of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a a perspective view of the game and playing pieces of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the playing pieces of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates the game board 100 of the present invention. At the distal end of the game board 100, a net 120 is located, and the net 120 is positioned substantially perpendicular to the game board 100. The net 120 is held in position with the first support 122 and the second support 124. The game board 100 which is substantially planar includes a series of stripes formed around the periphery of the game board 100. For example, a first stripe 102 is a first color. The first stripe 102 is adjacent to a second stripe 104 which is a second color. The second stripe 104 is positioned next to a third stripe 106 which is a third color. The third stripe 106 is positioned adjacent to a fourth stripe 108 which is a fourth color. The fourth stripe 108 is adjacent to a fifth stripe 110 which is a fifth color. The pattern of the first stripe 102, the second stripe 104, the third stripe 106, the fourth stripe 108 and the fifth stripe 110 is repeated across the bottom periphery of the game board 100 and is similarly repeated across the top periphery of the game board 100.

Along the sides of the game board 100 are three stripes, namely the first-stripe 102, the second stripe 104, and the third stripe 106. These stripes 102, 104, 106 are repeated along both the side peripheries of the game board 100. The game board 100 includes a rectangular display of mathematical operations at each corner adjacent to the stripes 102, 104, 106, 108, 110. More particularly, the upper left-hand corner includes a first rectangle 130 displaying addition mathematical operations, the upper right hand corner includes a second rectangle 132 displaying subtraction mathematical operations, the bottom left-hand corner includes a third rectangle 134 which displays multiplication mathematical operations, and the bottom right hand corner includes a fourth rectangle 136 which displays division mathematical operations. Between the rectangles 130,132, 134, 136 which corresponds to mathematical operations and in the center of the game board 100 are four large ‘M’s (Horizontal 3 and Vertically 3). The ‘M’ stand for magical Mathematical Mastermind which can be abbreviated to Triple M and finally to TM.

FIG. 3 illustrates the playing pieces of the present invention. It should be understood that the invention will be described in terms of specific colors, but these specific colors are illustrative of one embodiment of the invention. Other colors are within the scope of the present invention. FIG. 3 illustrates an eight pointed gold star 302 which could be of another shape having a circle with a letter ‘D’ formed in the center. Two gold stars 302 are used with the current embodiment of the present invention. Additionally, a eight pointed white star 304 with the word ‘eraser’ in the center of the circle on the star is illustrated. FIG. 3 illustrates four white eraser stars 304. In addition, six black stars 306 with eight points are illustrated with the letter M in the center of the circle. The gold stars 302, the white stars 304 and the black stars 306 are common to each player. Each player includes a first numbered star 308 which may be five consecutively numbered stars 308 with numbers 1-5 within a circle and with the corresponding word which represents the number. For example, one first numbered star 308 has the number ‘1’ in the center of the first numbered star with a circle around the number ‘1’ and the word ‘one’ over the number ‘1’. Four other stars are similarly shown with the actual numbers 1-5 in the corresponding word of the actual numbers 1-5. The first numbered star 308 may be the color red for one team member, and the first numbered star 308 may be the color silver for another team member. FIG. 3 additionally illustrates a second numbered star 310 which is shown as nine second numbered stars 310. Each of the second numbered stars 310 are consecutively numbered from 1-9 with a circle around the numbers. The opposing player would have similarly decorated second numbered stars 310 but colored with a different color such as silver.

FIG. 2 illustrates the playing pieces and board together.

The present invention is a game that is similar to Monopoly or Scrabble, but the game of the present invention requires the players to apply their intellect in rudimentary mathematical skill. The game helps develop the player sense of intelligent calculation. The board 100 includes a net system which is similar to badminton or tennis and has dice in the shape of stars in different color codes and digits. The game of the present invention involves more physical movement than previous games such as Monopoly and Scrabble. The present invention is a game of skill which involves continuous calculation. The game of the present invention is for children of all ages but targets the age group between 5 to 7 years. Once the children learn numbers up to 100, the present invention will accelerate and enhance their transition into mathematical skills. With the aid of the game of the present invention, the children can be expected to learn addition, subtraction, division and multiplication.

Of the many advantages of the present invention, parents and teachers alike can use the game to teach math to children. Furthermore, organized competition between individuals, classes or between teams from different schools can generate sufficient competitive spirit and ensure extensive math practice.

Children can learn math faster by playing this game than by adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing alone. It is an ideal alternative to boring math practice at home or inside the classroom. The game of the present invention can be played either indoor or outdoor and offers a special avenue for students who prefer to avoid math.

It has been recently shown that 60% of US children are obese due to lack of exercise. The game of the present invention not only stimulates children's minds but also ensures physical activity for them.

The present invention is a game of skill in which generates competitive spirit between the participants. The game of the present invention can be played between two individuals or two teams. The nature of the game automatically helps in the development of the efficiency of the neuromuscular mechanism of the children who play this game. Once the rules of this game have been learned, this game is exciting and fun for the participants of the game.

Parents and teachers alike can use this game to teach math to children. Organized competition between individuals/classes or even between different schools of children of the same age group will generate a competitive spirit and ensure the practice of math. This game offers a avenue for students who normally avoid mathematics. The game of the present invention stimulates the mind of the children and also ensures adequate physical activities for the children who play this game.

The accessories to be used with the game include two metallic sliding leafs, a net with two magnetic poles, two notepads with pencils and erasers, a laminated page showing the rules of the game and a sample equation checklist. The game box also includes star shaped plastic game pieces including 18 star shaped plastic game pieces that relate to addition, 18 star shaped plastic game pieces that relate to subtraction, 2 star shaped plastic game pieces that relate to division, 6 star shaped plastic game pieces that relate to multiplication and 4 erasers. All may have two different color backgrounds for two players or groups. The game is started by setting up the board, keeping the board at a playable distance depending upon the efficiency of the players, the players picking up the stars of the following digits of the same color code; 9 addition stars, 9 subtraction stars, 1 division stars, 3 multiplication stars, and two erasers. The players pick up the score pads, pencils and erasers; now the game is ready to begin. The players in turn begin throwing stars on the board carefully. The players throw the stars and keep them on the board to score marks for the players themselves or to reduce marks of the opponent. Each player can throw one star at a time. All addition and multiplication calculations are for the one player themselves and all division and subtraction calculations are for the opponent. Once the erasure star thrown, it will erase the last calculation of the opponent. If a star goes off of the board but remains in touch with the board, the star will be considered as on the board. At the time of throwing the star, once a star is out of the grip of the player, the chance for that star is over. The players will not collect used stars until the game is over, and the game is over once all the stars are thrown from the hands of the players. Both players should calculate the score in their respective score pads and have it checked by the opponent to maintain the game progress and to avoid any confusion. In the case of fraction score resulting from division, one mark should be added to the fraction to make it a round figure.

The board should be cleared of the stars after three throws of each player to help keep the subsequent stars thrown on the board. When a player cannot obtain any mark, his mark is zero and no subtraction, multiplication or division will be effective on him. No one can get a score of less than zero. When the number of players is more than two, then the players should organize into two groups to play the game. In a case of three players, the better skilled player should take one side and the two less skilled players should take the other side. The multiplication stars can be given to younger players once they have developed mastery over the addition and subtraction stars. Players are not expected to use a calculator.

The star should be held with the thumb, index and middle finger in order to produce a parabolic path and produce a whirling motion as the star is thrown towards the board. If the star falls flat on the board, it will not skate or jump off of the board.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed. 

1) A game utilizing a game board, comprising: a net positioned at one end of said game board; a stripe positioned on said game board; a display of a mathematical operation on said game board. 2) A game utilizing a game board as in claim 1, wherein said mathematical operation is addition. 3) A game utilizing a game board as in claim 1, wherein said mathematical operation is subtraction. 4) A game utilizing a game board as in claim 1, wherein said mathematical operation is multiplication. 5) A game utilizing a game board as in claim 1, wherein said mathematical operation is division. 6) A game utilizing a game board as in claim 1, wherein said game board includes a plurality of stripes formed in the pattern on said game board. 7) A game utilizing a game board as in claim 6, wherein said pattern is repeated. 8) A game utilizing a game board as in claim 1, wherein said display is positioned in a corner of said game board. 9) A game utilizing a game board as in claim 1, wherein said game board includes the symbol ‘M’. 10) A game utilizing a game board as in claim 1, wherein said game includes dice to control said game. 11) A game utilizing a game board as in claim 10, wherein said dice is in the shape of the star. 12) A game utilizing a game board as in claim 11, wherein said dice includes a number. 13) A game utilizing a game board as in claim 11, wherein said star is thrown on said board in order to score marks for the star thrower or to reduce marks for the opponent. 14) A game utilizing a game board as in claim 13, wherein each player can throw one star at a time. 15) A game utilizing a game board as in claim 1, wherein said game includes an eraser. 16) A game utilizing a game board as in claim 15, wherein said eraser will erase the last calculation of an opponent. 17) A game utilizing a game board as in claim 14, wherein said game continues until all of said stars have been thrown. 18) A game utilizing a game board as in claim 1, wherein said game assigns all addition and multiplication calculations to one user. 19) A game utilizing a game board as in claim 1, wherein said game assigns all division and subtraction calculations to another user. 20) A game utilizing a game board as in claim 11, said game awards no mark if said star does not land on said game board. 